Ruger SS Mod 77 is rusting!!!!!

[hydromatikman]

I just pulled my Ruger out of the back of my safe the other day to clean it and noticed there was a little of what looked like rust on the barrel just in front of the scope. I tried to wipe it off but only a little of it came off. I'm hoping it's just a little surface rust. I've never had a stainless rifle or pistol that ever had any rust appear. I know it can happen, just never seen it.

My question is what is the best way to get rid of it? I thought about taking some really fine grit emery cloth to it, but not not sure how fine to use.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[DJ Niner]

I'd recommend starting with stainless steel wool, the finest grade you can find (000?). A squirt of lube and a little light scrubbing with the stainless steel wool in the same direction as the existing polishing marks, and you should be good to go.

If stainless steel gets tiny particles of regular carbon steel on it's surface, the carbon steel can start rust on the surface of the stainless; this might be what happened to your rifle. For this reason, gunsmiths are usually very careful not to use abrasive paper on carbon steel and then on stainless. On the other hand, it could have been a single sweaty fingerprint left on the metal. Most grades of stainless steels are not really rust-PROOF; just highly rust resistant. They will (as you just found out) still rust; it's just less likely, given normal care.

Hope this was helpful.

[hydromatikman]

Thanks for the info. I went to Lowes and bought some 0000 stainless steel wool, took the rust off with very little effort. Can't believe I didn't think of using that in the first place. Again thanks for the advice, you have no idea how mad I was when I saw that my fairly new stainless rifle already looked like crap.

[DJ Niner]

Glad I could help. :)

[fastvfr]

My method:

1. Use Naval Jelly or a non-ferrous scrubbing pad to remove the patina.

2. Wash with very hot water; remove all rust/oil/grime.

3. Let stand to dry and then use Carnuba Wax on the metal.

That's right; I use Turtle Wax, for instance. Two or three applications and polishings will make your rifle virtually rust-PROOF and will also make it more resistant to some forms of abrasion.

I use it on blued steel with the same impeccible results.

Good luck!

[A_Swede_17_1911]

I agree, I've used the wax, on a M249 Saw Reciver, to keep it from rusting, and it worked, but have to reapply since it gets pretty worn form rubbing on the body armor and such, but it does work.

[fastvfr]

Yep!

It works even better when applied to real steel, rather than stampings, since the steel is more porous and more easily filled and sealed over by the wax.

Waxing gunsteel is one of those "Hairspray Removes Bubblegum" things most folks don't seem to try on their own.

But, like the man says, "If it is stupid, but it WORKS, it is not stupid!"